Riga car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Riga
The best car rental companies in Riga are Sixt, Hertz, Avis. Prices start from €20/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Riga
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Baltic Car Rental
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €150Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€17/day
base rate
View Baltic Car Rental deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Riga
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €20 | Toyota Aygo | 4 |
| Compact | €24 | VW Golf | 5 |
| Midsize | €30 | Škoda Octavia | 5 |
| SUV | €38 | VW Tiguan | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €52 | VW Touran | 7 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Riga
Airport — Riga International Airport (RIX)
The Baltics' busiest airport hub sits about 10km southwest of downtown, with rental desks in and around the terminal building.
Downtown — Riga city center
Downtown desks near Old Town suit visitors who want a car mainly for day trips along the Gauja Valley or the Baltic coast, not for navigating the compact center itself.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Winter tire compliance | Included in winter-season rentals | Roughly December–February/March, when winter tires are legally mandatory |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €8–15/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–8/day | Per extra driver |
| Cross-border fee (Estonia/Lithuania) | €0–20 depending on company | Driving into neighboring Baltic states — confirm allowance at booking |
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | RIX airport pickup |
| Refundable deposit | €200–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Riga
- Latvia has no road-toll vignette, so a rental car can be driven freely on all national roads without extra toll stickers.
- Winter tires are legally required roughly from December through February/March whenever roads are icy or snow-covered; rental fleets are automatically fitted for the season.
- Riga International Airport (RIX) is the busiest hub in the Baltic states, about 10km from downtown.
- Rural roads outside Riga can be narrow and are shared with wildlife crossings, especially in forested stretches at dusk — a common hazard across the Baltics.
- Riga's well-preserved Art Nouveau district and Old Town are fully walkable, so most visitors only need a car for excursions like the Gauja National Park or the Jūrmala coastline.
- Headlights must be on at all times while driving, day or night, across Latvia.
- Riga sits at the midpoint of the Baltics, making a self-drive loop through Estonia and Lithuania straightforward from a Riga pickup.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Riga
Do you need a car in Riga?
Not for the walkable Old Town and Art Nouveau district. A car becomes useful for day trips to Jūrmala beach or Gauja National Park.
How far is Riga Airport from downtown?
About 10km, roughly a 20-minute drive from the Baltics' busiest airport hub.
Are winter tires required in Latvia?
Yes, by law during the winter season (roughly December to February/March) whenever conditions require them. Rental cars are automatically fitted.
Is there a road toll or vignette in Latvia?
No — Latvia has no nationwide road-toll vignette, so no extra toll sticker is needed for a rental car.
Can I drive from Riga into Estonia or Lithuania?
Yes, most rental companies allow cross-border travel within the Baltic states — confirm any cross-border fee or restriction when booking.
What is the cheapest car type in Riga?
Economy cars like a Toyota Aygo start around €20/day, among the most affordable rates in the EU.
Is Jūrmala easy to reach by rental car from Riga?
Yes, the beach resort town of Jūrmala is about a 30-minute drive from central Riga along well-maintained roads.
Nearby trips
